Johann Christoph OLEY (1738 – 1789)
Jan Van Mol/ The Organ of Steinfeld Basilika.
Rec 1990s?
PAVANE ADW 7314 Full price [c 60 mins?]

Johann Oley was a new name to me. He was born in Bernburg in Thuringia in 1738. In 1749 he had been a pupil of Bach but in 1755 was named organist in his home town of Aschersleben where he had at his disposal a better organ.

Four books of choral preludes were published and the programme here is based upon these works. In all we hear chorales, neatly played by Jan Van Mol on the organ of Steinfeld Basilica. The organ dating from 1727 is the ideal vehicle for this music and the tuning is exemplary. The booklet is adequate with full organ specification and colour picture of the instrument.

The only quibble I had was that occasionally the pedals sounded behind the manuals, otherwise the performances are delightful and for those who like to explore newly recorded works, the CD is to be recommended.

Robert Vaughan